Chapter 113
The next day, Abhishek didn't show up on the breakfast table and kept looking himself inside his room so everyone thought that maybe he didn't come back last night.
Advait was getting restless with his stubborn behavior but said nothing.
Aditya and Arush stayed back at home to take care of Advait but Advait was pacing in the living room like he was not the one who got discharged from the hospital a day ago.
"Bhaiya, ek jagah baith jaiye." Aditya said calmly. He was sitting on the couch and noticing Advait moving here and there in restlessness.
"Tu baitha haina? To chup baith." Advait said in irritation.
Aditya looked down and continued reading a magzine as he couldn't use his phone when Advait was there.
Advait sighed and settled down beside him, "Maine aisa bhi kya kiya hai jo Abhi mujhse milna na pade islie ghar hi nahi aa raha." Advait said, rubbing his forehead in stress.
"Aap kyun itna stress le rahe hain, aa jayenge bhai." Aditya replied.
Advait let out a breath, "Tu samajh nahi raha hai, Adi. Wo bechara kitna pareshaan hoga iss time par aur wo sab kuch akele handle kar raha hai." He said.
"Hum bhi aise hi pareshaan ho gaye the jab aap hospital me the." Aditya said looking away to hide his emotions.
Advait pulled him in a side hug, "I know mera baccha.
Par pareshaan hone ka matlab ye to nahi ki tu sahi galat bhool jayega.
Abhi tujhse bada hai tera usse naraaz hone ka poora haq hai par naraaz hone me aur badtameezi karne me bohot farak hota hai.
" He made him understand, "You just crossed your limit by grabbing his collar. " He said.
"I'm really sorry for that, bhaiya." Aditya mumbled.
"I am sorry, beta. I shouldn't have slapped you this harshly but I can't tolerate disrespect." Advait said softly caressing his cheek.
"Unhone bhi to aapki disrespect ki, bhaiya. Aap unhe to kuch nahi bol rahe." Aditya complained.
"Wo milega tab kuch bolunga na, baccha." He replied, "Naraaz hone ke liye poori zindagi padi hai par abhi usey humari jarurat hai.
Roohanika kaisi bhi ho par mere bacche ne to usse saccha pyar kiya tha na.
Uska sacch jaankar kitna toot gaya hoga wo, iss waqt usey sabse jyada jarurat apni family ki hai.
" He said. His voice was filled with hurt and worry for Abhishek.
"Matlab aap bhai se gussa ho?" He asked carefully.
"Mai usse naraaz hoon, Adi. Mai jaanta hoon usne jo kaha gusse me kaha par usne meri upbringing par sawaal uthaya hai and I won't let that go easily." He said with a stern face.
"Mujhe kabhi ye sage sautele wali baat hi samajh me nahi aayi kyunki maine kabhi tum logo ko apne chote bhai samajh kar dekha hi nahi, humesha apna baccha samajh kar paala hai." Advait said, his eyes were soft but the voice was distant.
Aditya smiled and leaned in his hug, "Ye sab baatein band kijiye na, bhaiya.
Mujhe ye baat karna bilkul nahi pasand. Mujhe bas ye pata hai ki aap mere bhaiya ho aur mai aapka baccha hoon, jo aapse bohot pyar karta hai.
.. aur aap usko maarte rehte hain." Aditya said softly and mumbled the last part under his breath in a teasing tone.
"Kyunki iss bacche ke kaam maar khane wale hote hain." Advait replied playfully making Aditya pout.
"Bhaiyaa!" Aditya whined.
Advait laughed at that and kissed the temple of his head mumbling, "Mera pyara baccha."
"Accha bata tujhe bike chahiye thi na, to konsi bike chahiye?" Advait asked excitedly.
"Rishwat de rahe hain?" Aditya asked, playfully narrowing his eyes.
Advait lightly whacked the back of his hand, "Nalayak" He mumbled.
Aditya laughed and then looked at him seriously, "Aap mujhse naraaz to nahi haina, bhaiya?" He asked.
Advait's eyes softened and he cupped his cheeks, "Mai apne bacche se gussa ho sakta hoon par naraaz.
.. kabhi nahi. Tujhe lagta hoga ki bhaiya mujhe humesha maarte hi rehte hain but trust me Adu tum teeno meri jaan ho par tu.
.. tu mera hissa hai aur mai chahta hoon ki agle janam me tu mera bhai nahi, mera beta bane.
" He said, his eyes were filled with love and emotion.
"Mai abhi aapka beta nahi hoon?" Aditya asked making a mock offended face.
"Tu toh mera sabse pyara beta hai... aur shararati bhi." He replied, lightly pulling his cheeks.
Aditya hugged him tightly to hide his bubbling emotions and Advait wrapped him around his arms.
~________________________________________~
Aditya knocked the door of Abhishek's room. He was thinking that Abhishek wasn't at home but after talking to Arush he got to know that Abhishek had already returned back last night. He took a deep breath and again knocked the door but Abhishek wasn't responding.
"Bhai, Please open the door. It's me, Adi." Aditya said politely.
After a few moments, the door got opened. Aditya pushed open the door and entered the room. Abhishek was standing in the middle of the room already staring at Aditya.
"Aap wapas kab aaye?" Aditya asked him.
"Kal raat me." Abhishek replied quietly.
Aditya nodded slowly and took a few steps ahead, "Bhai, I want to apologize for my behavior." He said without hesitation.
"What behavior?" Abhishek asked in confusion.
"The way I behaved with you in the hospital was not acceptable. I'm really sorry for that." He said.
"Aap jo bhi punishment denge mujhe manzoor hai. Aap mere bade bhai hain mujhe collar nahi pakadna chahiye tha. I'm really ashamed of my actions." He said sincerely, holding his ears.
Abhishek pulled down his hands, "You don't need to be sorry, Adi. Tune jo bhi kiya wo emotional outburst me kiya aur jab maine bhi same galti ki hai to mai tujhe saza dene wala kaun hota hoon." He said softly.
Aditya nodded, "Mai aage se dhyan rakhunga, bhai." He said and turned to leave the room when Abhishek's voice stopped him.
"Thodi der yahi ruk jaa... Please." Abhishek said, his voice was almost breaking.
He was controlling himself in front of Aditya but seeing his brother turning his back at him made him vulnerable.
Aditya slowly turned back and kept standing on his place. But Abhishek settled down on the bed and told him to sit also which Aditya reluctantly obeyed.
They sat there in silence, no one speak up a single word when Abhishek's voice broke the silent atmosphere, "Baat bhi nahi karega apne bhai se?" He asked.
Aditya clenched his jaw to control his emotions and a memory flashed back in front of his eyes.
A seventeen year old rebellious and stubborn teenager, Aditya was sprawling on the couch without any worry of the world.
His tie was loosely hanging around his neck and the upper two buttons of the shirt were opened.
He was good in the academics but his grade was getting low from the past few class tests.
Now, he had got the zero in the economics but he hadn't had the worry of anything as he had already made a plan in his mind.
Advait entered the mansion making Aditya jumped up on his place. He quickly stood up straight in a swift motion.
"Bh-Bhaiya, aap itni jaldi kyun aa gaye? I mean kaise aa gaye?" He asked but changed his sentence after receiving a glare from Advait.
"School jata hai ya gundagardi karne jata hai? Ye kya haalat banayi huyi hai?" Advait scolded looking at him from head to toe.
Aditya pouted and looked down at himself, "It's cool, bhaiya." He said in a chill tone.
Advait whacked the back of his neck, "Oww!" Aditya yelped.
"Arey Advait aaj aap jaldi aa gaye?" Shreya's voice echoed in the room.
"Wahi to." Aditya huffed, "Ab mai video game bhi nahi khel paunga."
Advait gripped his ear before twisting it, "Wo to tu waise bhi nahi khel payega." Advait said.
"Advait, kya kar rahe hain? Kyun bechare bacche ko maar rahe hain?" Shreya asked.
"Ye aur bechara?" Advait asked incredulously.
Aditya nodded with an innocent face.
"Aapka bechara aaj test me zero le kar aaya hai." Advait said making Shreya gasped.
"Zero?" She said and turned towards Aditya, "Ye sacch hai, Adi?" She asked, placing her hands on the waist.
"Nahi, mai jhooth bolne ke liye office se ghar aaya hoon." Advait said sarcastically.
Aditya laughed out loudly but stopped when Advait shot him a sharp look.
"Zero kyun aaya, Adi? I want a valid reason." Advait asked sternly.
Aditya looked down in fear as he hadn't had the valid excuse. He just wasn't in the mood to study so he hadn't.
"I'm asking you something, baccha. Agar koi problem hai to bata." Advait asked, keeping his voice gentle.
"Mai batata hoon, bhaiya." Abhishek said from behind.
Aditya frowned.
"Bata." Advait asked.
"Kal dinner ke baad Adi jab padhai kar raha tha to usey bohot tej fever aa gaya tha islie maine hi usey padhne se mana kar diya aur rest karne ke liye kaha." Abhishek lied to save him.
Advait and Shreya mirrored a worried look. Advait quickly placed his hand on Aditya's forehead to check the temperature.
"Adi, tune mujhe kyun nahi bataya baccha?" He asked in worry.
"Ab to theek lag raha hai na, beta?" Shreya asked equally concerned.
Aditya glanced at Abhishek who blinked his eyes at him to nod his head so Aditya slowly nodded his head as he couldn't say lie to Advait.
"Pehle batana chahiye tha na befaltu me itni daant kha li." Advait caressed his hair with a worried frown.
"Sorry, bhaiya." Aditya whispered.
Advait kissed his forehead, "Koi baat nahi, tu jaa kar rest kar hm." He mumbled.
"Abhi, Adi ka dhyan rakhna baccha aur phir se tabiyat kharab ho to mujhe bata dena." Shreya said.
Abhishek nodded his head and took Aditya with himself upstairs to his room. Aditya hugged Abhishek tightly when the door of his room closed.
"Thank you so much, bhai. Accha hua aapne bacha liya warna aaj to meri band hi baj jati." Aditya said with a chuckle.
Abhishek whacked his head and pulled him away, "Padhai me dhyan laga, gadhe.Din bhar Vani ke chakkar me pada rehta hai." He scolded.
"Normal class test tha bhai exams me padh lunga." Aditya said in a relaxed tone.
"Kar jo karna hai par iss baar fasega na to mai bachaane nahi aaunga." Abhishek said.
"Aap har baar aaoge." Aditya grinned, "Kyunki aap mere bhai ho." He hugged him tightly.
A smile came across Abhishek's lips but he tried to masked it with the roll of his eyes. He messed Aditya's hair to tease him earning himself a pouted glare from him which make Abhishek laughed loudly.
Aditya's eyes teared up remembering the past memories just how Abhishek had always protected him from every problem.
He couldn't control anymore and threw himself in Abhishek's embrace.
Abhishek clutched him tightly afraid that he might lose him again.
They both cried soaking the fabric of each other's shirts.
Their tears were pouring out all the pain they were burying inside them till now.
Their grip only grew tightened with the passing seconds.
"I'm sorry, bhai. Mai bohot bekar bhai hoon.
Ek accha beta bante bante kab ek bekar bhai ban gaya mujhe pata hi nahi chala.
Jis waqt aapko meri sabse jyada jarurat thi maine aapka saath chord diya mujhe maaf kar do, bhai.
But I really love you. I really do. Aap bhi mere liye utne hi matter karte ho jitne bhaiya par mai unhe aisi haalat me dekh kar bohot dar gaya tha, bhai.
Mujhse galti ho gayi." Aditya ranted out, letting out his emotions.
Abhishek was rubbing his back throughout. His own eyes were misted and face was soaked with the tears.
"Mujhse bhi galti huyi hai, Adi. Mujhe bhaiya se aise baat nahi karni chahiye thi. Tera gussa apni jagah theek tha, tune kuch galat nahi kaha, baccha." Abhishek whispered.
They both kept hugging each other and crying their heart out. Finally after pouring out all their emotions, they both pulled back slowly.
"Aap chaliye aur bhaiya se miliye. Wo aapko bohot yaad kar rahe hain." Aditya said getting up and wiping off his tears.
Abhishek shook his head, "Mujhe dar lag raha hai, Adi." He said.
"Chaliye na, bhai. Aap humesha unse chupte to nahi rahenge kabhi na kabhi to milna hi padega to chaliye na please. Aap unse maafi maang lena wo aapko maaf kar denge." Aditya made him understand.
"Mujhe pata hai wo mujhe maaf kar denge par mai khud ko maaf nahi kar paa raha hoon, Adi." He replied in guilt.
"Wo bhi bhaiya karwa denge. Aap chaliye to sahi aapki band bajwane ka kaam mera hai." Aditya said teasingly making Abhishek chuckled lightly.
He stood up from the bed and they both headed towards Advait's room.
~________________________________________~
Advait was holding Shreya in his arms and she was trying to wriggle out of his hold but his hold was tight. Her back was pressed against his chest and his hands were locked around her small waist. She again wriggled but when she couldn't she glared at him firmly.
"Choriye mujhe." She said firmly.
"Nope." Advait said, shaking his head left to right.
"Advait..." She dragged the name.
"Shreya..." He mimicked her.
"Argh choriye mujhe." She whined.
"Pehle kahiye maine apne pyare se pati ko maaf kiya." Advait said with a smile.
"Par maine aapko maaf nahi kiya islie door hatiye mujhse." She replied with a tight lipped smile.
"I'm sorry, love. Ab beemar pati se aur kitni mehnat karayengi aap?" He said in a smooth voice.
"Mere Adi ko teen thappad laga diye tab kahan gayi thi aapki beemari? Aapko Abhi ke emotions dikhe aur mai aur Adi to pagal hain. Aap wahan hospital me the aur hum dono ko bohot maja aa raha tha humein to gussa aata hi nahi hurt hota hi nahi hai." She bursted out on him.
Advait left her and turned her face towards himself, "Mujhe pata hai, mujhe sab pata hai, Shreya lekin mera kehna bas itna tha ki Abhi ko uss waqt aap logo ki jarurat thi par ab mai aapki baat bhi samajh raha hoon so please apne iss pati ko maaf kar dijiye.
" He dramatically joined his hands in the end.
Shreya slapped his hands down before looking away, "Mujhe nahi baat karni." She said stubbornly.
"Shreya, I love you." Advait said but despite of his controlling composure he let out a whine.
Shreya rolled her eyes, "To mujhe gussa kyun kiya?" She asked, placing her hands on her waist.
"Maine kab gussa kiya? Iss mamuli insaan ki himmat jo aap par gussa kar sake?" He said dramatically.
"Aaahaha aaye bade makkhan lagane." She sang making faces.
"Makkhan nahi laga raha hoon. Sach bol raha hoon, love." He replied.
"Mujhse baat mat kariye." Shreya huffed.
"Aakhiri baar puch raha hoon aap mujhe maaf karengi ya nahi?" He asked.
She narrowed her eyes, "Aur agar nahi kiya to?" She asked glaring at him.
"To kuch nahi phir se maafi mangunga." Advait replied with a scared expression.
"Better." Shreya said with a roll of her eyes.
She started walking away but Advait pulled her back and she crashed against his chest. He pecked her nose making her blush and she bit her inner cheeks to hide her blush but it was of no use. The red tint was clearly visible on her face.
"I love you." He whispered, kissing the corner of her lip.
"I love you, too." She whispered back, looking down shyly.
They looked into each other's eyes and leaned forward. Their movements were slow and deliberate. Advait was about to touch his lip to hers when Arush jumped up on the doorway.
"Bhaiyaaaaahhhh!" He shouted in horror.
Advait and Shreya pulled back quickly and stood at the distance composing themselves. Shreya's face turned red with the embarrassment while Advait's face turned red with the irritation.
"Kya chahiye?" Advait glared at him.
"Wo-uh-mai ye puchne aaya tha ki aapko kuch chahiye to nahi?" He asked hesitantly looking here and there.
"Privacy chahiye." Advait exasperated.
"To door lock karna chahiye tha na." Arush mumbled under his breath but Advait heard him.
"Shut up!" He snapped.
Shreya giggled and ran away from there moving past by Arush. Aditya entered the room behind Arush.
"Ab tujhe kya chahiye?" Advait asked him.
"Kuch nahi." Aditya shook his head ear to ear.
Advait shook his head at both of them and went to settled down on the bed but when he turned back Abhishek was standing there with the other two.
A smile crept on Advait's face looking at Abhishek and he quickly walked to him before pulling him in a tight hug.
Abhishek hugged him back and closed his eyes in exasperation.
He was longing for this moment and now it was happening in reality but Abhishek hadn't had the courage to look into his eyes.
He hugged him tightly and without his knowing a few tears slipped out of his eyes but there was a smile on his face.
Advait pulled back just to cup his cheeks, "Kahan tha tu abhi tak? Milne kyun nahi aaya mujhse? Itni nafrat karta hai mujhse ki mera chehra bhi nahi dekhna chahta?" Advait bombarded his questions, his voice was filled with panic and pain.
Abhishek didn't reply anything and kept standing there quietly. The tears were silently spilling down on his cheeks.
"Bol na, Abhi?" Advait repeated.
Abhishek kneeled down and hugged his legs crying bitterly. Advait was taken back by his action and quickly tried to pulled him up. Aditya and Arush were pitifully looking at Abhishek's state.
"Abhi, kya kar raha hai? Upar uth." Advait scolded.
"Mai aapki maafi ke layak nahi hoon par please ho sake to mujhe maaf kar dijiye, bhaiya." Abhishek cried and tightened his grip around his legs.
"Maine aap par trust nahi kiya aur phir aap ko itna hurt kiya ki aapko meri wa-wajah se heart attack aa gaya." He sobbed.
"Abhi..." Advait said and pulled him up on his feet.
"Kya kar raha hai ek thappad khayega abhi." Advait chided gently.
Abhishek wasn't looking at him. His gaze was fixed on the floor with tears spilling out of his eyes. He was feeling so guilty that he couldn't make an eye contact with him.
"Meri taraf dekh." Advait ordered.
Abhishek didn't look up.
"Abhishek." Advait said in a tone that no one could disobey.
Abhishek slowly looked up and met his eyes. Advait's heart clenched at the sight of him in tears. His eyes were filled with the pain, hurt and guilt. His eyes were teary but Advait could clearly see the emptiness behind the tears.
"Teri koi galti nahi hai aayi baat samajh me? Tujhe sach nahi pata tha aur tujhe bina sach bataye tu meri baat maane mera ye sochna bohot galat tha. Mujhe laga mai tujhe sach bataunga to tujhe kho dunga baccha bas islie tujhse baatein chupayi." Advait said wiping off his tears gently.
"Mujhe aapki baat maan leni chahiye thi, bhaiya.
Aapne to sab kuch mere acche ke liye hi kaha par maine aapke saath kya kiya.
.. maine aapko dukh pohchaya, aapke pyar par sawaal uthaya.
Mujhse bohot badi galti ho gayi, bhaiya.
Meri wajah se aapko..." He pleaded, joining his hands.
He couldn't complete his sentence because of his choking voice.
"Bhai, please rona band kariye. Mujhe accha nahi lag raha hai." Arush said with heavy voice. His own eyes were welling up with the tears.
"Abhi, in sab me teri koi galti nahi baccha.
Bas teri ye galti hai ki tune meri upbringing par sawaal uthaya aur bola ki maine apni selfishness ke liye tum teeno par restrictions lagayi.
Teri iss galti ke liye tujhe jarur saza milegi magar pehle tu khud ko meri haalat ka zimmedaar manna band kar. " Advait said softly.
"Mai bohot bura hoon, bhaiya." Abhishek hicupped.
"Bas bohot ho gaya, ab ek lafz bhi nikala na to ek thappad lagaunga." Advait warned strictly.
Advait pulled him in a hug and let him pour out his emotions.
Abhishek clunged to him tightly like a child.
Aditya and Arush also hugged him from the both sides and they four shared a emotional hug.
They were clinging to each other like a lifeline because no matter what happened they all were the pieces of the same puzzle and without even a single piece the puzzle remained incomplete.
~________________________________________~